Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-03-23
A BRITISH YARN.
Why a Beautiful Girl Refused q
Fortune.

Ralph Rawson Milford was the fifth
officer on board the steamship Para
gon, one of the fastest boats on the
Cable line of steamers, which piled be-
tween New York and Seringapatam.
Her captain was justly renowned as an
expert navigator, for he was in the
habit of performing the journey in four
days, seven hours, forty-two minutes
and nineteen and half seconds with
much regularity, and had never yet
been run into by another vessel; nor
had he ever sustained any very serious
damage from the steamers of opposi-
ton lines, which he habitually cut in
two as they crossed his path upon the
high seas.
Having attained this pitch of marine
prc-emincncc, Captain Sir Clements
Lane-hc was a baronct of ancient
crcation-entcrcd heart and soul into
his profession, and thought there was
nothing like it. His fifth officer, how
ever, didn't care much about it; he had
been, as youngest of Il large family,
pitchforkcd into the employment of the
Cable line by II rich uncle, who paid his
fees, and took an interest in his prog
rcss as long as he saw nothing of
him. But Ralph X. milford being
young. good-looking and human,
found his profession remarkably dull.
you See" he remarked to n chance
acquaintance, who had introduced
himself to him as they lunchcd at the
same table at Delmonico's one day,
shortly before the Paragon was to
start on the homcward journey; '.you
sec, we junior officers don't have much
fun on board. The seniors, if they care
about 1T, can get up no end of amusc-
mcnt with the faircr section of the
passengers; but what chance has
fifth oilicerp L have to go about my
duties like an automaton; and at dusk,
when the rattle of promiscuous oscula-
ton echoes around the decks, and
every corner that one turns is imme-
diatcly the theatcr of sudden disen-
tanglemcnt and precipitate flight, the
effect is, to say the least of it, tantaliz-
ing; and one wishes one were either
senior officer or passenger, instead of
fifth in command"
The genial stranger was properly
sympathetic, and after making few
inquiries concerning the arrangements
and discipline on board the Paragon
he nodded "Good-day," and disap-
peared amid the brou-ha-ha of New
York City. On the evening before the
departure of the Paragon the new
hands which had been taken on in
New York and most of the homeward-
bound passengers were on board, when
a gorgeous specimen of the Wall street
Yankee, accompanied by a lovely
creature of some nineteen summers
and an equal number of winters, came
on board, and, addressing Ralph Raw
son Milford, who was standing near
the gangway, asked that worthy wheth-
or he was captain of the boat On his
replying that he was the fifth officer,
the Yankee remarkcd:
well, sir, I'd be obliged if you
could take me to the captain, under
whose charge l want TO place this
young lady, whom may as we'll intro
ducc to you-as you're one of the OH
cers-right now. Miss Nellie j. Rob
ertson, my niece; Mr.. Nutford-thank
you fifth officer of this vessel"
While the captain was being found
Miss Nellie j. Robertson was doing
great execution with her great, soft
eyes; and by the time Captain Sir
Clements Lane had duly identified the
fair passenger in the list, and had un-
dertakcn to take charge of her during
the voyage, the impressionablc fifth
officer was quite ready to put her up
on coil of rope-no pedestal being
handy-and fall down and worship her.
The swell Yankee, with much ostenta-
tious farewell pantomime, having re-
turned on shore, the fair Nellie was
left with the captain, and new pas
sengcr came on board-a green-eyed
monster, who attached himself To the
susceptible Ralph, and proceeded to
share with that gentleman his meals,
his berth and his whole existence.
Next morning they were we'll out at
sea when the captains protege came
On deck. Gracious, how beautiful she
was, and when she went up TO Nut
FORD and, putting both her hands into
his, captured his soul with look and
requested to be shown the vessel, the
fifth officer could have clasped her in
his arms and sprung overheard like n
new Charmidcs, taking his Pallas with
him. His joy, however. was short
lived, Tor in the midst of their pcre-